Food & Wine: Five Lovely Aperitivo Spots
Aperitivo... perhaps one of my favorite words in Italian. And one of my favorite things to do when I'm in Stresa. On a Friday afternoon after a long work week... Meeting friends before going to dinner... Watching a sunset... As a transition between a long day of sightseeing and a relaxing evening... There are so many good reasons to stop and make this pause in your day. And there are so many wonderful spots in which to have an aperitivo. Here are five spots I've recently enjoyed aperitivi in and highly recommend:
This is my classic, can't-go-wrong aperitivo. Spritz at the Lido Baveno on a Friday afternoon after a long work week. No better way to get in a weekend mood. Lido is a popular beach all day long, and becomes louder and club-like late in the evenings on the weekends, but in between is just perfect for me.
Via Piave, 66 28831 Baveno (VB)
0323 922856
Al Buscion... Casual, comfortable, and close to everything in central Stresa. Massimo will always recommend good wines he has on hand, but Giuseppe and I usually go for our signature choices of Guinness and Prosecco. At aperitivo time they come with a few yummy stuzzichini, little snacks.
Via Principessa Margherita, 18 28838, Stresa (VB)
0323 934772
Via Principessa Margherita, 18 28838, Stresa (VB)
0323 934772
The beautiful glass of white wine that I enjoyed in Cannero Riviera at the restaurant at the Park Hotel, with a late lunch, after a day of hectic shopping at the giant Wednesday market in Luino. It is right near the boat dock on Cannero's lovely lungolago. This was definitely the transition back into relaxing mood variety. Perfect...
Lungolago delle Magnolie, 19 28821 Cannero Riviera (VB)
0323 788488
And, although I'm not often a beer drinker, I tried this giant German beer at Bar Verbanella. The terrazzo on the lake behind Verbanella is quite bright and refreshing, with its somewhat incongruous but fun tropical umbrellas. Every early evening it fills up here, and stays busy as the sun sets across the lake. The specialty at Verbanella are their Bellini, and their bartender is known for mixing some of the best cocktails in town. Keep Verbanella in mind for Thursday evenings in the summer too, when there is free Jazz all evening long.
Corso Umberto 1, 2 28838 Stresa (VB)
0323 30212
Ahhh... another beautiful sunset, another Spritz. Where was this one? At my new favorite aperitivo spot: the brand-new rooftop Sky Bar at La Palma Hotel. And the best news? This bar is open to the public. Just ask at the front desk to go up to the roof. La Palma has, in my opinion, one of the best views of the lake, and now, the most gorgeous roof.
Lungolago Umberto 1, 33 28838 Stresa (VB)
0323 32401
hlapalma.it
Lungolago Umberto 1, 33 28838 Stresa (VB)
0323 32401
hlapalma.it
More on this very special new spot in an upcoming post... For now, I leave you to keep planning your trip to Stresa. And remember to leave time for aperitivo...
Everyone takes a break for Bellinis!
How about you? Will your aperitivo be a Bellini? A Spritz? Beer? And where will it be? Do you have a favorite aperitivo spot in Stresa?
Category Article food, restaurants, wine
